By The South Asia Times

Washington / Brussels — Tensions between the United States and Europe have surged to a new high after U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariff measures against multiple European nations in a bid to force negotiations over Greenland, a strategic Arctic territory, and as global diplomatic alignments shift amid competing interests in the region.

On January 17, 2026, Trump posted on his social media platform that starting February 1, the United States will impose 10% tariffs on all imports from eight European countries — Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland — unless a deal is reached for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland.”

Trump further threatened that these tariffs would be increased to 25% on June 1 if no agreement was reached, tying the tariff escalation directly to Greenland’s status.

The move builds on Trump’s longstanding interest in acquiring Greenland, which he has described as critical to U.S. national security due to its location and untapped natural resources.

European leaders responded swiftly and strongly. French President Emmanuel Macron denounced Trump’s tariff threats as “unacceptable” and out of place in modern diplomacy. European Union leaders, including the EU Commission President, have warned that such coercive economic tools could jeopardize broader U.S.–EU trade negotiations and transatlantic unity.

Governments from Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and the UK, among others, reiterated that Greenland’s sovereignty is not for sale and emphasized that recent military deployments to the island — undertaken as part of collective Arctic security efforts — do not constitute provocation.

In response to Trump’s rhetoric and perceived threats, several European nations have recently deployed military personnel to Greenland alongside Denmark, intending to bolster Arctic defense and deter potential unilateral action. Reports indicate French and German units have already arrived, with other countries coordinating through NATO channels.

The sudden tariff escalation has been described by some analysts as the most significant strain on NATO unity in decades, prompting fears that deepening mistrust could spill into broader security cooperation challenges.

Trump’s Broader Trade Moves

The Greenland tariff announcement is the latest in a series of trade confrontations under Trump’s leadership. Earlier tariffs on European goods and other trade measures have already complicated U.S.–EU economic ties, raising questions about the future of previously negotiated agreements.

Amid the transatlantic rift, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that the two leaders found “much alignment” on issues of Greenland’s sovereignty and Arctic governance. Carney emphasized that Greenland’s future should be decided by its people and Denmark, and reiterated Canada’s support for NATO obligations, including Article 5 collective defense.

The Ottawa–Beijing talks — occurring against the backdrop of rising tensions between Washington and its allies — underscore the fluid geopolitical landscape in the Arctic, where major powers are jockeying for influence and strategic advantage.

War Fears and Analyst Warnings

Some observers have raised alarm at the rapid escalation, warning that sustained economic coercion and diplomatic clashes could push the United States and Europe toward deeper conflict. However, most experts caution that while the rhetoric is heated, an outright military confrontation remains unlikely unless diplomatic channels break down completely.

Political analysts argue that Trump’s Greenland strategy — and his use of tariffs as leverage — could ultimately backfire, disrupting longstanding alliances and triggering economic fallout, without achieving his territorial goals.